Making the Connection

The Big Hunt 2010 from The Connection Church on Vimeo.

We’re getting ready for The Big Hunt 2010 on April 3rd from 10:30-1 at Thunderhill Raceway. The Big Hunt was the very first event that we did when we moved to Kyle in 2004 and that started the whole thing. It’s crazy to think that TCC started with something as simple as an Easter Egg Hunt, but God uses these simple events to bring about BIG change in people’s lives. How does that happen? Well, we provide a fun and friendly environment and offer something that people are looking for, a free family event. At the same time, something else is going on on another level. We are creating a positive impression of a church that’s all about giving back to our community and serving people in practical ways.

God is also on a BIG HUNT.  2 Chronicles 16:9 says that “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” We have a conviction that God loves people and so we love people too! And somehow, through an event like The Big Hunt, God reaches out to people right where they are to bring people to make a connection with TCC and ultimately an eternal connection with God through Jesus Christ! And we get to be a part of it!

So how can you help people make the connection this Easter?

• Be at Thunderhill Raceway at  8 a.m. on April 3 to help out on one of the teams.
• Buy and stuff eggs with non-chocolate candy or prizes. Do it as a small group, families, or individuals. Get your workplace involved. Be creative! The goal is 30,000 eggs!
• Pick up a case or two of bottled water the next time that you buy groceries. We need 200 cases of bottled water.

Remember, God will take what you give and multiply it to make a difference in people’s lives all around our community. And that’s what we’re all about: To see Hays County changed one life at a time!

Can you feel it? After months of working through the process of finding, designing and just working through the red tape of securing a location, we’re starting the work on building out our soon-to-be home. Yes!!! Do the happy dance, it’s alright, no one is watching you.

Just to bring you up to speed, it’s 18,000 square feet of space in an industrial-type facility right between Kyle and Buda just off of I35. One of the craziest things about this site is that it used to be the home of a huge indoor shrimp farm. But we’re done thinking shrimpy. This is going to be the BIG home of a place that will facilitate changed lives starting first in our county and extending through this region between Austin and San Antonio.

Some of the initial work is being done by sub-contractors in our church family. But soon, we’ll have tons of volunteer work that needs to be done. But just imagine with me how incredible it’s going to be when we’re able to meet there anytime for any need, from a home-base for ministries to the community, to our kids and student ministries, our deaf ministry that is exploding, and more!

One of our goals is to be able to meet at the new location for our Easter services this year, but due to delays at the start, this is going to be a hard goal to meet. So please pray with me that this is going to be possible. It’s also going to take big money and plenty of sweat equity. The dollars that a step this big takes are staggering. I have total faith that God is going to provide everything we need through each of us who believe in the vision of TCC. TCC is a dream born in God’s heart that we get to be a part of for His Glory! So hang onto your seats, folks, and get ready for the ride of your life!

Here are a few pics of some of the first steps at the new building:

Digging the plumbing trench

Prepping the Ceiling

Fueling up the Wet Saw

Small groups (At TCC, we call them Connection Groups) are messy! Because they involve people, things rarely go just like you want them to. But anyone can learn the skills and, yes, art, of being a great group leader.

Nic and I have recorded some leadership training audio resources for anyone who is in a leadership position. I’m going to be posting these free resources here over the next several weeks so you can check them out. My prayer is that you will grow in your leadership as you make a difference in lives through your group.

Are you having trouble filling up your group? This first audio podcast will give you some practical ideas about how to find people and invite them to join your group. So get ready and “Fill ‘er Up!”

Quickshot: Circles of Life

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This week, we’re starting a brand new teaching series called RED HOT through the book of Song of Solomon and it’s gonna be HOT!

At one time, the Jewish people were not allowed to even read Song of Solomon because of its steamy content. But, today, you hear explicit talk everywhere you turn. And yet most people will admit that they’re like Mick Jagger and “Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” And in our age of Sexual Revolution, people are more frustrated and unfulfilled than ever.

Right now, there’s a song on the charts from Trey Songz called “I Invented Sex.” I’ve got news for you, don’t believe him. God is the One who invented sex. And He knows how it’s best.

At TCC, we never shy away from addressing real life issues and neither does God’s Word. So over the next six weeks, we’re going to dig into what God has to say about sex and relationships. And I’m already pumped about the potential this series has to take our marriages (or if you’re single, your future marriage) to a Whole ‘Notha Level!

I’ll see you this Sunday as we kick it off with “The Spark of Attraction” at 9:30 and 11am!

Before we get too far into the new year and 2010 overtakes us with it’s own victories (as well as new lessons learned), I wanted to take a quick look back at the ground we took as a Connection Church family in 2009. I’m thanking God that over the last 12 months:

• We saw 101 people make first time decisions to trust and follow Jesus!
• We baptized 48 people (211 people since 2004)!
• We served over 7,000 people from our county through our community events like The Big Hunt, Mega-Sports Camp, Trunk or Treat, and Connection Christmas Eve’s Eve!
• We prepared and delivered 825 Lunches of Love to hungry children in our community!
• We sent 20 people on a mission trip to the interior of Belize with the PALMS Puppet Team and saw 100’s make decisions to follow Jesus!
• We commissioned Zak, Amber & Couper White and their team to plant Revolution Church in the Schertz/Selma/Cibolo area to start a spiritual revolution!
• The many volunteers who put in countless hours to create the best opportunity for people to connect with God, others, and others with God!

As we begin 2010, I’m more excited about our future than ever before! We’re already beginning work on building out our new location on FM-967 between Buda and Kyle to position us to fulfill our vision to see Hays County changed one life at a time. Greater Things are still to come!